78 rescued from collapsed Achimota Melcom building

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Created on Friday, 09 November 2012 00:00

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78 rescued from collapsed Achimota Melcom building

09 November 2012

Following the collapse of the Melcom Shopping Complex at Achimota in Accra on Wednesday, a total of 78 persons have been rescued so far from the rubble.

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Out of these figure nine persons are reported dead, while the remaining survivors are on admission at Achimota, 37 Military, Police and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals.

The Public Relations Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces in Accra explained on Thursday that rescue efforts are feverishly underway to save others who are still trapped under the rubble.

Lt Commander Veronica Arhin, of the Directorate told a media briefing at the accident site that rescue efforts have been intensified with three more rescue points opened to allow ventilation for victims trapped.

She said so far there has been effective collaboration between National Security, Ghana Armed Forces, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Red Cross and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.

Others include Zoomlion Limited, National Ambulance Services, National Security Ambulance and the St John Services.

Lt Commander Arhin explained that locals and artisans close to the scene of the incident have also been another important component to the rescue efforts and thanked all corporate institutions who have supported the course.

Mr Kofi Portuphy, NADMO boss complained about the uncertainty of the total number of people inside the building at the time of the accident.

The accident had attracted high ranking visits including President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, Ministers of State, high ranking security personnel, Dr Abu Sakara, Convention Peoples Party Presidential Candidate, Apostle Dr Opoku Onyina, Chairman, Church of Pentecost and President of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Council.

Apostle Dr Onyina, who is also a Member of the National Peace Council, prayed for a speedy recovery of all rescued victims and consoled the bereaved families.

He commended all who have been working tirelessly since Wednesday, November 7 to rescue victims from the rubble and expressed the hope that those still trapped would survive the trial.

From: GNA/Ghana